Meeting documents

The Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee received a report outlining the proposed Private Sector Housing Regeneration Policy.  The policy set out the existing private housing sector housing grant and loan schemes offered by the Council and suggested additional and alternative scheme that could be adopted to better enable regeneration of the private sector housing stock in the Vale.  The policy focussed on assisting target groups of residents including older people, disabled people, and vulnerable groups (e.g. those on low incomes living in poor quality housing).   It also suggested the provision of a landlord loan scheme to help to improve conditions in rented private sector housing stock.

Members were advised that the inclusion of a landlord loan scheme would help to encourage landlords to provide a higher quality of housing for their tenants.  It was important to note that this would run alongside the enforcement powers granted to the Council under the Housing Act 2004 to raise standards in the private rented sector and deal with rogue landlords.  The Council also operated mandatory and additional licensing schemes for houses in multiple occupation which aimed to improve standards and protect vulnerable tenants living in this type of housing stock.  It was noted that the policy regarding Homes of Multiple Occupancy was agreed by the Council and implemented in June 2015.  It was noted that there was a link between poor quality housing and poor health.  It was proposed that the scheme be reviewed to move away from small amounts of grants and loans, and that it would be important to ensure sufficient review of the new policy.

The Council currently offered the following private sector grant and loan assistance:

·         Minor works grant up to £2500

·         Mandatory disabled facilities grant up to £30,000

·         Empty homes loan

·         Flexible home improvement loan.

Members were advised that the report recommended that the Minor Works Grant be replaced with an Essential Repairs Grant of up to £10,000.  In addition the following grants and loans would be offered alongside the mandatory disabled facilities grant, empty homes loan and flexible home improvement loan.

·         Discretionary DFG top-up of up to £20,000

·         Relocation Grant of up to £30,000

·         Urgent Hospital Discharge Adaptation Grant up to £10,000

·         Landlord Loan Scheme up to £10,000.

It was noted that there were currently 222 long term empty properties.  The Council received a New Homes Bonus grant for bringing empty properties back into use.  The Council would work with the owners of the properties to aim to bring the property back into use, and could also use Compulsory Purchase powers.  Members were advised that there were 10-20 properties where compulsory purchase may be explored.

The Stock Conditions survey was last carried out in 2007.  It was noted that this had previously been a mandatory function for the Council to undertake, however it was no longer mandatory.  It was an expensive survey to carry out, and had previously been carried out in conjunction with the other District Councils in the County to reduce costs.  The most recent survey had been used during the formulation of the policy, and Members stated that they were concerned that the data used was not up to date.  Members were informed that additional data was used, such as the Public Health England data and the most recent census.  It was also noted that it was not unusual for this survey not to have been carried out more recently than 2007.  The Environmental Health Manager had noted the potential financial outlay in the budget in the next 12 to 24 months to carry out the budget.  The Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee asked that it be recommended to Cabinet that the survey be carried out to inform the Council’s policy going forwards.

Members supported the proposals in the policy, and stated that it would be important to publicise that the funds were available to members of the public and partner organisations.

Members thanked the Environmental Health Manager for her report, and

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.